Semiconductor nanowire thermoelectric materials and devices, and processes for producing same

United States Patent

The present invention provides nanowires and nanoribbons that are well suited for use in thermoelectric applications. The nanowires and nanoribbons are characterized by a periodic longitudinal modulation, which may be a compositional modulation or a strain-induced modulation. The nanowires are constructed using lithographic techniques from thin semiconductor membranes, or "nanomembranes."

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS
Research funding was provided for this invention by the Department of Energy (DOE) under Grant Number DE-FG02-03ER46028. The federal government has certain rights in this invention.